Author: Karel Krivanec

This is a method where one or two metres of flyfishing line only are used outside the rod tip. At the end of the fly line a coloured braided connector is attached. To this about one metre of 0.16 mm diameter nylon is tied and is finished with a minature link ring. Then we tie in a dropper of some 10 cm from 0.12 - 0.14 mm nylon followed by about 50 cm of the same nylon for the top dropper. To this cast we then add 10 cm from some thicker nylon. Finishing with some thinner nylon about 0.10 - 0.12 mm using the surgeon's knot. From this we can make the middle dropper and the length to the tip nymph. We usually fish with 2 or 3 nymphs to get the flies to the riverbed quickly.

On the team one nymph is usually weighted heavily and depending on the location of the swim we can use it as either the tip or the middle dropper fly. When we are fishing with three flies we place the heavily weighted nymph on the tip and on the middle dropper our favourite nymph. As a top dropper we use a bigger, but only lightly weighted nymph in brighter colours. If we fish with only two nymphs then it is possible to use the lighter fly on the point and the heavier fly on the dropper.

We cast the nymphs across and against the stream. Then let them drift freely around to the end of the line. When they start to rise we cast and repeat the process. It is sometimes better to let them dance freely on the surface before the next cast. The rod, line, and leader are allowed to drift freely in order to register even the gentlest take. It is essential to lift the rod on any change in the movement of the line. Then repeat the cast again.

One of the most important techniques in the use of the short nymph is the correct choice of swim and "reading of the water". This method is not possible to use everywhere. It is sometimes a personal habit to fish either up stream or downstream. However the best fishermen are able to use either according to their reading of the swim. Generally where the water is low and clear it is better to fish upstream. In deeper and coloured water fishing downstream is preferred.

While fishing we move slowly along the river making sure we fish not only the bed, but all depths to the surface with the team of nymphs. An important question is the weight of the nymph in relation to the strength of the current. A good fisherman does not hesitate to change his nymphs according to the strength of the stream. He is also prepared to creep slowly to cover the reluctant fish.

Because we fish very close to the fish, we must modify our behavior and clothing to that situation. Learning to fish effectively with the rolled nymph takes several years, but then it really pays off. Everybody who understands this method needs to be fish friendly and not use the method to empty streams of fish. It is possible to fish for almost all species, which can be caught on a fly. Not only brown trout, rainbow, char, chub, dace, whitefish, barbel, perch and bream, but also we have also caught pike, zander, eel and barbot. However the main species for the rolled nymph will always be the grayling.